My Note: Chapter 7 will now be making it's appearance in "The Perfect Three" story. Hope you enjoy it's brilliance! Review please! I know it's short. Especially after I edited out. Please, don't flame me!
"Mommy...Daddy...Is that really you?" Marlene ran forward as two otters walked out of the crate. One of them, the female, looked like Marlene, but without the white fur on her belly and her brown fur was much lighter. Her eyes were green and sparkled when she met those of her daughter's.
"Oh, Marlene. My little baby!" Marlene's mother cried as she reached out to hold her daughter. Marlene practically jumped into her arms.
"Oh, mom! I haven't seen you in forever!" Her eyes burst with tears of joy and Skipper couldn't help but smile at the reunion of his love and her parents. The male stepped forward to claim a hug of his own.
Marlene's smile brightened, if that's possible, as she attacked her dad with a fierce hug. "Daddy!" Her father smiled as he pat her head. "Ah, my little girl. You've grown so much."
Marlene's parents walked up to her. "Oh!" Marlene exclaimed. "I forgot to introduce you guys!" "Skipper, these are my parents." Marlene gestured towards her parents. "Mom, Dad, this is Skipper."
Her parents stepped forward and shook hands with Skipper. "So you're the famous Skipper. My daughter wasn't lying. Delighted and pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I'm Arnina." Skipper shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too, Ma'am. Arnina- meaning mountain of strength. I see where your daughter gets her independence and beauty." Arnina smiled, blushing and watched as her husband introduced himself.
"From what I've heard, you're a brilliant gentleman." Skipper smiled. "But...I'll have to see that for myself. Name's Alaster." Skipper shook hands with Marlene's father. This was the nerve-racking part. "An honor, sir. Don't worry, your daughter's in good hands here." Skipper blinked twice.
"Wait. Alaster? The Alaster? Defender and Honorary Protector of-" "All Otterin Bretheren, as well as Marine. Yes, yes. I earned the medal and stature. But, you see, that's my past. I gave it all up when my first was born." Alaster looked at his wife lovingly.
Then, he walked to Skipper and gripped him by the shoulders roughly; whispering near his ear so no one else could hear. "Believe me. A life of missions, is nothing without your family in every one of them. It's worth it to see them every waking moment and it kills you to miss even the smallest smile. Don't miss it. Don't regret a single moment with them."
Alaster released him and walked back over to his wife. Skipper looked to Marlene as Alaster shared a kiss with Arnina. She blushed when she noticed he was staring. As he saw the red take over her cheeks, he chuckled. 'Cute...' Skipper let his mind wonder about the future.
Marlene clutched her stomach and placed a paw over her mouth with a sickly expression on her face. It wasn't long before she had bolted for a bush at the furthest end of her habitat.
Her parents soon became concerned and threw questions at her when she returned. Marlene held her head. "I'm alright. Just a little dizzy." She fell back, but Skipper was able to catch her in his flippers before she hit the ground.
He continued to support her as she stood up. Arnina stepped forward. "Marlene...Are you sure everything is alright?" The older otter took a quick glance at Skipper before returning her attention to Marlene.
Marlene noticed this and replied, "Yes, mom. I'm perfectly fine." Marlene looked at Skipper and smiled, never taking her eyes off his.
"Skipper protects me." Skipper wrapped a flipper around her and smiled. Arnina saw the interaction between the two and knew everything was fine. You could call it mother's intuition. Or experience...
Arnina grinned wide and nearly had tears in her eyes as she said, "Oh, my little Marlie...You've grown up so fast..." Marlene blushed at the nickname. "Yep. I'm all grown up now!" Alaster looked Skipper dead in the eye with an arm around his wife.
"Yes. And I hope you understand that I'm always here to protect you. Should someone fail to do the same." Skipper knew her father meant for him to hear.
He replied with complete honesty; sincerity lacing his words, "Alaster. I promise to protect your daughter, 'til the day I die. She has and always will be treated with the utmost respect and honor, sir. I would never do anything to harm her. Her wish...is my command. Her command...is my mission. And I don't give up easily on missions. You have my word. Penguin's honor." Alaster nodded approvingly.
Marlene looked at Skipper in awe. She had never heard such wonderful words...It almost sounded like a wedding vow. Marlene blushed and laughed at the thought of Skipper in a tux.
They all turned to Marlene as she giggled. Marlene noticed this and blushed. "Oh, sorry. I was just...thinking. Hey, it's almost time for lunch! Once Alice brings us our lunch, I'll make a special meal. How does that sound?"
Arnina smiled, "Oh, that'd be just wonderful, dear! Don't you think so, honey?" Alaster smiled at his wife. "Yes, of course! A meal with family is better than anything else." Arnina kissed him tenderly.
Marlene blushed. "Mom! Dad! Please...Not here, not now." Skipper soon began to blush and took the occasional glance every now and then.
Marlene saw him and elbowed his stomach. "Skipper!" He looked at her. "What was that for?" He asked, confused. Marlene just rolled her eyes and face-palmed.
Arnina blushed. "Oh, sorry, dear. I promise I'll try not to. It's just so hard to resist." She laughed as her husband grabbed her romantically and looked into her eyes. "As it is to resist you, my love." They laughed before leaning into another kiss.
Marlene put on a serious face. "OK. I guess it's alright for me to kiss Skipper then." Her mom kept leaning in, saying, "Yes, yes, that's fine, Marlie." But Alaster stopped immediately. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't think so. My little girl is not to be kissing anyone."
Marlene knew she had him now. "Then don't..get all..romantic...around my friends, OK?" Alaster sighed. "Fine, Marlie. I promise." Marlene looked at her mom. "Mom..." Arnina looked at her. "Aggghhh...OK, Marlie. I'll try." Marlene nodded. "Thank you."
Skipper decided to break the ice that was starting to freeze over, "Uh, why don't you guys look inside and get comfortable. It's not always easy to get situated into a new home." Skipper smiled as the couple walked inside.
While Skipper wasn't paying attention, Marlene turned him around and gave him a sweet kiss. Skipper was shocked, but quickly fell into the kiss.
When they had to break apart for air, Skipper said, "I thought your dad said you couldn't kiss anyone." Marlene shrugged with a smile. "Eh, I'm a rebel." They shared a laugh as they walked into the cave.
My Note: Soooooo? How did you like them mangos? Juicy, right? I know...Marlene's Mom and Dad got a little...yucky, but that's nothing compared to what's going to happen later! So stick around for the next chapter of "The Perfect Three"!
